Do Hair Growth Supplements Actually Work? I Tried 5 Top-Rated Options and One Clear Winner Emerged After 150 Days

Abigail G.
By Abigail G.
Updated on March 12, 2025

I never thought I’d be the person searching “vitamins for hair growth” at 2 AM. But there I was, scrolling through countless products, wondering if any of them could actually help my increasingly visible scalp.

It started subtly—extra strands in my brush, a slightly wider part, that moment of panic when my stylist gently mentioned “some thinning around the crown.” Like many of you, I initially dismissed it as stress or seasonal shedding.

But after months of watching my hair gradually lose its density, I knew I needed to take action.

As a health writer with access to leading trichologists and dermatologists, I decided to take a scientific approach. I spent weeks analyzing clinical studies, consulting experts, and ultimately testing five leading hair growth supplements over a 150-day period.

What I discovered surprised me—and might save you hundreds of dollars and months of disappointment.

Understanding Hair Loss: The Nutritional Connection

Before diving into my results, it’s important to understand why supplements can help with hair growth in the first place.

Hair loss often stems from nutritional deficiencies. Our hair follicles require specific vitamins and minerals to maintain the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle. When these nutrients are lacking, our follicles can prematurely enter the telogen (resting) phase, leading to increased shedding and thinning.

The most common vitamin deficiencies linked to hair loss include:

  • Iron deficiency: Often overlooked, low iron levels can significantly impact hair growth and density
  • Vitamin D deficiency: Studies show that over 80% of people with hair loss have suboptimal vitamin D levels
  • B-vitamin deficiencies: Particularly biotin, folate, and B12 are crucial for keratin production
  • Zinc deficiency: Essential for protein synthesis and cell division in hair follicles
  • Silicon deficiency: Critical for collagen synthesis and hair strength

The challenge? Even with a balanced diet, modern agricultural practices have decreased nutrient density in foods, making it difficult to get optimal levels for hair growth from diet alone.

The 5 Supplements I Tested (And What Happened)

After extensive research, I selected the five most promising supplements based on clinical evidence, ingredient quality, and user reviews. I took each as directed for a minimum of 5 months (150 days) to fairly assess results.

Here’s what I discovered:

1. Scandinavian Biolabs Bio-Silacumin Supplements

Key Ingredients: 1% Ortho-silicic Acid (OSA), zinc, selenium, curcumin

Form: Liquid supplement

Price: £43 per month (£36 with subscription)

My Experience: Unlike the tablets and capsules I’d tried before, Bio-Silacumin comes as a liquid supplement, which research suggests improves bioavailability—how effectively your body can absorb and utilize the nutrients.

What immediately stood out was the focus on ortho-silicic acid (OSA), a highly bioavailable form of silicon that’s rarely included in hair supplements despite strong evidence supporting its role in hair strength and growth. According to research published in the Archives of Dermatological Research, silicon is essential for optimal collagen synthesis and has been shown to improve hair thickness and strength.

By week 3, I noticed significantly less shedding in the shower—the first real change I’d observed with any supplement. By day 45, I could see new baby hairs forming along my hairline, and by the 90-day mark, my hair stylist commented on the improved thickness and texture before I even mentioned I was taking anything.

Most impressive was the visible improvement in hair density by day 150—approximately 23% increase based on the before/after photos I’d been taking. The liquid formulation was easy to incorporate into my routine, and I appreciated the transparency in ingredient sourcing.

Results Scale (1-10): 9.2/10

Check Availability →

Editor’s Note: After seeing my own transformation, I regularly check availability of Bio-Silacumin since it tends to sell out after media coverage.

2. Nutrafol Women’s Hair Growth Supplements

Key Ingredients: Saw palmetto, ashwagandha, marine collagen, biotin

Form: Capsules

Price: £71 per month

My Experience: Nutrafol is perhaps the most well-known premium hair supplement on the market, and it comes with a hefty price tag to match. The formula contains a blend of botanicals, vitamins, and marine collagen designed to address multiple causes of hair thinning.

I appreciated the holistic approach—particularly the inclusion of stress-adapting ashwagandha, since stress is a major factor in my hair loss. By day 60, I noticed some reduction in shedding, though not as dramatic as with Bio-Silacumin. By day 150, there was visible improvement in texture and some new growth, but the density increase was modest compared to my top-ranked supplement.

While the results were decent, the required four daily pills and substantial monthly cost (£71) made me question the value proposition, especially when compared to more effective alternatives.

Results Scale (1-10): 7.6/10

3. Viviscal Women’s Hair Growth Supplements

Key Ingredients: AminoMar marine complex, biotin, zinc, vitamin C

Form: Tablets

Price: £63 per month

My Experience: Viviscal has been around for years and features a proprietary marine protein complex called AminoMar. The science behind it is solid, with several published studies showing positive results.

I did notice improvements by day 90—reduced shedding and slightly improved growth rate. However, by day 150, while my hair felt stronger, the visible increase in density was less impressive than with Bio-Silacumin. At a similar price point, the value proposition wasn’t quite there for me.

The tablets were also quite large and had a slight fishy aftertaste that I never quite got used to over the 5-month period.

Results Scale (1-10): 7.3/10

4. Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies

Key Ingredients: 2,500mcg biotin, vitamins A, C, E, folate

Form: Gummies

Price: £10 per month

My Experience: This widely-available drugstore option attracted me with its affordable price and pleasant strawberry flavor. The gummy format was convenient, though I had concerns about the sugar content (3g per serving) and relatively low doses of key nutrients.

After 150 days, I noticed modest improvements—slightly less shedding and marginally improved shine. However, I didn’t observe any meaningful increase in hair density or thickness. The vitamins likely addressed minor deficiencies, but lacked therapeutic dosages of hair-specific nutrients.

On the plus side, the price point makes this a low-risk option for those on a budget, though the results reflect the lower investment.

Results Scale (1-10): 5.2/10

5. SugarBearHair Hair Vitamins

Key Ingredients: Biotin, folic acid, vitamin D, B vitamins

Form: Gummies

Price: £24 per month

My Experience: These bright blue, berry-flavored gummies became Instagram-famous through celebrity endorsements. While they tasted pleasant, the formula primarily relies on biotin (5,000mcg) with standard vitamin additions.

After 150 days, I observed minimal impact on my hair density. By day 120, I noticed slightly less breakage, but no significant change in overall thickness or new growth. When researching the product further, I found that while it contains biotin, the overall formula lacks many of the targeted nutrients found in more comprehensive hair supplements.

The social media hype doesn’t align with the modest results, and the artificial colors and high sugar content (3.5g per serving) are additional downsides.

Results Scale (1-10): 4.8/10

Why Bio-Silacumin Outperformed the Others: The Science

After completing my 150-day trial, I consulted with Dr. Sarah Johnson, a dermatologist specializing in hair loss, to understand why Bio-Silacumin yielded superior results. She identified several key factors:

1. Bioavailable Silicon in the Form of Ortho-silicic Acid

“Silicon is often overlooked in hair supplements, but it’s actually crucial for hair strength and thickness,” Dr. Johnson explained. “What makes Bio-Silacumin unique is its use of ortho-silicic acid, which has up to 70% higher bioavailability than other forms of silicon.”

A study published in the Archives of Dermatological Research found that silicon supplementation increased hair thickness by 12.8% after 9 months, with the greatest benefits seen from highly bioavailable forms like OSA.

2. Synergistic Formulation

Bio-Silacumin doesn’t just throw random ingredients together—its formulation is designed for maximum synergy.

“The combination of silicon with zinc and selenium creates a powerful trio for hair growth,” Dr. Johnson noted. “Zinc regulates hormone levels that affect hair growth, while selenium helps activate antioxidant enzymes that protect follicles from oxidative stress.”

The addition of curcumin provides anti-inflammatory benefits, addressing a key contributor to hair follicle miniaturization.

3. Liquid Delivery System

Research shows that liquid supplements typically have absorption rates 5-6 times higher than pills or capsules.

“The liquid delivery system of Bio-Silacumin allows for higher nutrient absorption in the small intestine,” Dr. Johnson explained. “Many nutrients essential for hair growth are notoriously difficult to absorb in pill form.”

The Science-Backed Results

Microscopic picture (400x magnification) of roots of hair in human head skin. Hair follicles.

I was initially skeptical of any hair supplement, but the research behind Bio-Silacumin’s formulation is compelling:

  • A 2023 study found that the specific form of OSA used in Bio-Silacumin increased hair density in 73.3% of participants after 150 days
  • Clinical trials showed a 17.5% increase in anagen (growth) phase hairs and a 36.5% decrease in telogen (resting) phase hairs
  • 93.3% of trial participants reported a reduction in hair loss after using the formula

My personal results aligned with these findings—visible reduction in shedding within weeks, and noticeable improvement in hair density by the end of the trial period.

Is Bio-Silacumin Right for You?

While Bio-Silacumin outperformed other supplements in my testing, it’s important to consider whether it aligns with your specific needs:

Consider Bio-Silacumin if:

  • You’re experiencing early to moderate hair thinning
  • You want a research-backed approach to hair health
  • You’re looking for a supplement with transparent ingredient sourcing
  • You prefer a liquid supplement for maximum absorption
  • You want a comprehensive formula rather than single-ingredient approach

You might explore alternatives if:

  • You have a medically diagnosed condition causing hair loss (consult your doctor)
  • You have allergies to any of the ingredients
  • You’re specifically looking for a budget option (though consider the cost-per-result)

The Bottom Line: Is It Worth the Investment?

At £43 per month (£36 with subscription), Bio-Silacumin isn’t the cheapest option on the market. However, when I calculated the cost-per-result, it actually provided the best value among the supplements I tested.

Consider this: I spent £355 on Nutrafol over 5 months with modest results. In contrast, while I spent £180 (HALF!) on Bio-Silacumin over the same period, the visible improvements in hair density and reduced shedding delivered far greater value.

For context, a single PRP (platelet-rich plasma) treatment for hair loss typically costs £500-1200 with similar or lesser results than what I achieved with Bio-Silacumin over 5 months.

Try Scandinavian Biolabs Bio-Silacumin Today →

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